Thiotricha chujaensis (Park, 2016) Park, 2016

Kyaw, Khine Mon Mon, Yagi, Sadahisa, Oku, Jouhei, Sakamaki, Yositaka & Hirowatari, Toshiya, 2019, Taxonomic study of Thiotricha Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in Japan, with the description of two new species, ZooKeys 897, pp. 67-99 : 67

Thiotricha chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. Figs 4G, H , 7D , 8G, H , 9D , 10D , 11 A–I , 13 A–C , 14 A–C

Cnaphostola chujaensis : Park and Kim 2016: 172, fig. 1.

Material examined.

Japan - Honshu [Chiba] • 1♀; Kayano, Orikisawa, Kimitsu-shi; 4 Sep. 2013; O. Saito leg. • 1♂; Otake, Narita-shi; 23 Jul. 2016; O. Saito leg. • 1♀; same locality and collector; 20 Aug. 2016 • 1♂; same locality and collector; 3 Jun. 2017 • 1♀; same locality and collector; 9 Sep. 2017 • 1♀; same locality and collector; 7 Oct. 2017. - Honshu [Ishikawa] • 1♀; Hodatsushimizu cho, Shikinami; 16 Jun. 2018; S. Tomura leg. - Honshu [Nagano] • 2♀♀; Kojiro, Tenryu-mura; 19 Jun. 2009; 28 Aug. 2009; N. Hirano leg. • 1♂; Hiraoka, Tenryu-mura; 16 Jun. 2007; N. Hirano leg. [Gifu] • 1♀; Yamagata-gun, Miyama-cho, Iodo; 17 Jun. 1994; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-140; OPU. - Honshu [Shizuoka] • 1♂; Oonogi Umegasima, Shizuoka-city; 25 Aug. 2001; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-32; OPU • 1♀; Shizuoka city, Hirano, Abe river; 23 Aug. 1997; T. Mano leg.; OPU • 1♀; Hirano, Shizuoka city; 26 Aug. 1995; T. Mano leg.; OPU • 1♀; Konya Spa, Shizuoka city; 27 Jul. 2002; T. Oku leg.; TO. - Honshu [Aichi] • 3♂♂; Zaikaji-temple, Toyokawa city; 4 Jun. 1994; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-18; OPU • 1♂; Somasaka Pass, Toyokawa city; 21 May. 1992; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-20; OPU • 2♀♀; same label; gen. slide no. KM-79; OPU • 1♀; Matsumine-cho, Toyota city; 13 Jun. 2001; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-77; OPU. - Honshu [Mie] • 1♂; Yamadano (Hakusan-tyo); 18 Apr. 2001; Host: Mallotus japonica ( “shinme” [=a shoot]); 30 Apr. 2001 em.; T. Saito leg.; OPU • 1♂,1♀; same locality and collector; 23 Apr. 2002; gen. slide no. KM-12(♂); OPU • 6♂♂, 2♀♀; same label; 23 Apr. 2002; Host: Mallotus japonica ( “shinme” [=a shoot]); 30 Apr.-6 May. 2002 em.; gen. slide no. KM-65; OPU • 1♀; Obara-ishiki, Hokusei-cyo; 7 Sep. 1997; T. Mano leg.; OPU • 1♀; Mikuni valley alt 430 m, Hujiwara-cho; 27 Aug. 1998; T. Mano leg; OPU • 1♂; Hijiki 250m, Ueno City; 12 Sep. 1997; T. Mano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-31; OPU • 1♀; Inabe-gun, Fujiwara-cho, Shinodachi; 29 Aug. 1994; T. Mano leg.; OPU. - Honshu [Shiga] • 1♂; Makino, Takashima-shi; 13 May. 2015; H. Shimizu leg. - Honshu [Kyoto] • 1♂; Mt. Ponpon; 1 Jul. 2000; N. H. Ahn leg.; gen. slide no. KM-34; OPU • 1♂, 1♀; Yamanouchi-cho, Seikanji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi; 1 Jun. 2013; H. Shimizu leg. • 4♀♀; Kanmurijima I., Miyazu-shi; 27-28 Sep. 1982; M. Sasakawa; Y. Yoshiyasu; N. Nishida & T. Kamura leg.; gen. slide no. KM-63; OPU. - Honshu [Nara] • 1♀; Kasugayama (Nara-si); 26 Aug. 2000; T. Saito leg.; OPU • 1♂; Mt. Takatoriyama (Takatori) ca 580 m; 25 Aug. 1993; Kadohara leg.; OPU • 1♀; Katuragi-shi, Taima; 7 Aug. 2009; H. Shimizu leg. • 1♀; Sannoko, Kawakami village; 18 Jun. 1991; T. Ueda leg.; OPU • 1♂; Kawakami village, Kitamata; 15 Jun. 1993; T. Ueda leg.; gen. slide no. KM-30; OPU. - Honshu [Hyogo] • 1♂; Tamida (Inagawa-tyo); 29 Apr. 2002; T. Saito leg.; Host: Mallotus japonica ; 3 May. 2003 em.; gen. slide no. KM-33; OPU. - Honshu [Osaka] • 1♀; Aokaiyama (Toyono-tyo); 10 Jun. 1999; T. Saito leg.; gen. slide no. KM-62; OPU • 1♀; Minou River, Minou City; 5 Aug. 1991; M. Aoyagi & T. Ueda leg.; OPU • 1♂; Higasiosaska-shi, Rokumanji-cho; 23 May. 2015; H. Shimizu leg. • 1♂; same locality and collector; 18 May. 2017 • 1♂; Yao-shi, Kodachi, Jyusan-toge, Fumin no mori; 16 Jul. 2011; H. Shimizu leg. • 1♀; same locality and collector; 17 May. 2016 • 1♀; Hatigamine; 4 Jun. 1993; S. Koshino leg.; gen. slide no. KM-66; OPU • 1♂,1♀; same locality and collector; 15 Jul. 1993; gen. slide no. KM-19 (♂), 126(♀); OPU • 1♀; Minamikawachi-gun, Mizukoshi-toge, Mt. Kongo; 7 Jun. 2015; H. Shimizu leg. • 2♀♀; Tondabayasi Dakeyama ca. 260 m; 4 Sep. 1992; Kadohara leg.; OPU • 1♀; Kawachinagano city, Iwawaki temple; 3 May. 2001; T. Saito leg.; Host: Mallotus japonica ; 20 May. 2001 em.; OPU • 1♀; Kawati, Iwawakisan; 29 May. 1954; T. Yasuda leg.; OPU • 1♀; Kawakubo; 19 Sep. 1995; S. Kosino leg.; gen. slide no. KM- 72; OPU • 1♀; Tottori (Hannan); 18 May. 1997; S. Kosino leg.; OPU • 3♀♀; Izumi-katuragisan (Kisiwada-si); 17 Jul. 2004; T. Saito leg.; gen. slide no. KM-42; KM-64; OPU • 1♀; same locality and collector; 21 Jul. 2004; OPU • 1♀; Kyosi, 21 May. 1998; S. Kosino leg.; gen. slide no. KM-128; OPU. - Honshu [Wakayama] • 1♀; Wakayama-shi, Nougawa; 11 Jun. 2007; M. Murase leg.; OPU • 1♂, 1♀; Wakayama-shi, Yata; 3 Jul. 2001; T. Hirowatari; B. W. Lee; N. H. Ahn; Y. Miyamoto & K. Yamada leg.; gen. slide no. KM-35(♂),60(♀); OPU. - Shikoku [Ehime] • 1♀; Matsuyama; 16 May 1957; M. Okada leg.; gen. slide no, KM-71; OPU. - Kyushu [Fukuoka] • 1♂; Orio; 4 Jul. 1958; T. Kawamura leg.; gen. slide no. KM-21 • 2♀♀; Orio; 24 Jun. 1959; T. Kawamura leg.; gen. slide no. KM-78 • 1♂; Kasii, Fukuoka City; 25 May. 1958; K. Yano leg.; gen. slide no. KM-37 • 1♂; Aburayama, Fukuoka; 24 May. 1959; T. Kawarabata leg.; gen. slide no. KM-26 • 1♂; Atago, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka shi; 26 May. 2018 larva; Host: Mallotus japonica ; 9 Jun. 2018 em.; S. Yagi leg. • 1♀; same locality, collector and host; 9 Jun. 2018 larva; 9 Jul. 2018 em • 2♂♂; Ito campus, Nishi-ku; 26 May. 2017; K.M.M.Kyaw; gen. slide no. KM-43, 44 • 1♂; Mt. Hikosan; 18 Jun.1962; H. Kuroko leg.; OPU • 1♀; same locality and collector; 1 Sep. 1953; OPU • 1♀; same locality; 20 Aug. 2013; S. Yagi leg.; gen. slide no. KM-70 • 1♀; same locality and collector; 25 Jul. 2014; LT; gen. slide no. KM-69 • 1♀; same locality; 31 Jul. 2014; LT; T. Hirowatari & S. Yagi leg. • 1♂; same locality; 4 Sep. 2014; LT, S. Yagi leg.; gen. slide no. KM-15 • 1♂, 4♀♀; same locality and collector; 27 Jul. 2015; LT; gen. slide no. KM-17(♂), 73(♀), 75(♀) • 1♂; same locality and collector; 13 Aug. 2016; LT; gen. slide no. KM-36. - Kyushu [Saga] • 1♂; Hokuzan, Saga-shi; 3 Jun. 2017; S. Tomura leg. - Kyushu [Kagoshima] • 1♀; Sata; 18 May. 1952; T. Kodama leg.; OPU. - Ryukyus [Kagoshima] • 1♀; Nakama, Yakusima Is.; 20 Sep. 1978; S. Moriuti leg.; OPU • 1♂; Okawa Rindo, Kurio, Yakushima, 120m; 21 Jun. 2017; S. Yagi leg. • 2♂♂, 2♀♀; Hatsuno, Amamioshima Is.; 3-5 Apr. 1996; T. Ueda leg.; gen. slide no. TU-751(♂), KM-14(♂), 68(♀); OPU • 1♀; Mt. Yuwan-dake (Lower), Uken-son vill.; 18 May. 2015; S. Sameshima leg.; gen. slide no. KM-57; KGU • 1♀; Akatsuchiyama, Yuwan, Uken-son; 20 Aug. 2014; S. Sameshima leg.; KGU • 1♀; same locality; 6 Jul. 2016; LT 245m; S. Yagi leg.; gen. slide no. KM-83 • 1♂, 3♀♀; Chuorindo, Amamioshima Is.; 6 Apr. 1996; T. Ueda leg.; gen. slide no. KM-25(♂), 67(♀); OPU • 1♀; Nishinakama, Amamioshima Is.; 6 Jun. 1996; T. Ueda leg.; OPU • 1♂; Fureainomori, Uken vill.; 25 Sep. 2002; gen. slide no. KM-27; Host: Mallotus japonica ; OPU • 1♂; Mt. Yui-dake, Setouchi-cho, Amamioshima Is.; 30 Jun. 2006; U. Jinbo leg.; NSMT-I-L-35780; • 1♀; Tokuno-shima, San Tokunoshima; 9 Jul. 2016; LT 230 m; S. Yagi leg.; gen. slide no. KM-59 • 1♀; Tokuno-shima, Fugusuku; 11 Jul. 2016; S. Yagi leg. - Ryukyus [Okinawa] • 1♂; Mt. Terukubi 330 m; Benoki, Kynigami-son; 5 Aug. 2015; L.T; S. Yagi leg.; gen. slide no. KM-29 • 1♀; Yona, Kunigami vill.; 15-18 May. 1998; T. Ueda leg.; OPU • 1♀; Mt. Fuenchijisan, Kunigami vill.; 8 Jun. 1997; T. Ueda leg.; gen. slide no. KM-74. • 1♀; Hentona; 9 Aug. 2016; LT 60 m; S. Yagi leg. • 1♀; Uka, Kunigami-son, Kunigami-gun; 31 May. 2015; 250m LT; S. Yagi leg. • 1♀; Banna Park, Ishigaki Is.; 31 Mar. 2002; B. W. Lee leg.; OPU; gen. slide no. KM-87 • 1♀; Mt Omoto, Ishigaki Is.; 11 Nov. 2003; Host: Mallotus japonica ; 18 Nov. 2003; S. Shimizu leg.; OPU; gen slide no. KM-76.

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to T. biformis , which is known in the Russian Far East and Japan but can be distinguished by markings in the distal yellow zone of the forewing with a distinct black streak below the middle of the yellow zone. The male genitalia is similar to those of T. epiclista Meyrick, 1908 described from Khasi Hills, India, but can be distinguished by the basally broadened valva and the presence of a thumb-like basal process bearing numerous setae, the lack of a pre-apical spine on the costal process of the valva, and the slender posterior part of the phallus.

Description.

Male ( Figs 4G , 7D ). Forewing length 2.7-4.3 mm. Wing expanse 5.8-8.8 mm.

Male genitalia: ( Figs 8G, H , 9D ).

Female ( Fig. 4H ). Forewing length 3.0-4.4 mm. Wing expanse 5.9-9.1 mm. Similar to male.

Female genitalia: ( Fig. 10D ) see Park and Kim (2016) for detailed descriptions of the adults and genitalia. In the present study, intraspecific variation observed was the presence or absence of a blackish streak on the yellowish zone of the forewing markings in all examined specimens. Additionally, in contrast, the biggest size of the adult moth of Japanese specimens (wing span 8.8 mm) is quite smaller than that of Korean specimens (wing span 12 mm in Park and Kim’s description). In the female genitalia also, Park and Kim described the shape of the signum forming as an elongate plate with dense spicules and located at posterior end; however, that of the Japanese specimens is developing as a pentagonal shape at the posterior end in our observation.

Distribution.

Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Ryukyus), Korea.

Host plant.

Mallotus japonica ( Euphorbiaceae ).

Biology

( Fig. 11 ). Although the host plant of T. chujaensis is unknown, we found that some specimens of this species preserved in OPU were labeled as having been reared on Mallotus japonica ( Euphorbiaceae ). In the present study, we confirmed that the larvae feed on this plant in the field. The larvae also make portable cases with flower buds or attack the leaf bud (young shoot) of the host plant. The larva uses the flower buds at flowering time to make a case from the plant. After making the portable case, the larva moves from one place to another and attaches the case to the lower surface of the leaf for pupation ( Fig. 11C ). When there is an early leaf bud (young shoot) on the host plant, the larva penetrates the petiole of the young, newly emerged leaf and feeds inside ( Fig. 11 E–G ). There is no external injury during the feeding period until the leaf is fully grown. Before pupation, the larva cuts the petiole and makes a portable case. After that, it fixes the portable case sideways. Pupation also takes place inside the cases and pupal exuvia is left after the adult emerges.

Pupa

( Figs 13 A–C , 14 A–D ). Length ca. 3.2 mm, cylindrical. Color yellowish brown; dark brown before emergence. Vertex armed with many minute spines. Prothorax with a pair of not truly triangular projections on anterolateral corners of tergite. Antenna reaching to posterior margin of 6th abdominal segment. Forewing reaching the mid-way of 6th abdominal segment. Forelegs extending to 3rd abdominal segment; midlegs extending to mid-way of 5th abdominal segment; hindlegs also extending to near posterior margin of 7th abdominal segment. Abdominal segment 7th armed with a row of distinct tergal spines directed posteriorly on anterior margin and indistinct short tergal spines on caudal margin. Seventh abdominal sternite with a pair of oval pads also armed with a row of spines directed anteriorly. Tenth abdominal segment with a pair of triangular projections at middle, no true cremaster present.

Remarks.

This species was described by Park (in Park and Kim 2016) from Chuja Islands which is one of the largest islands among 42 islands in the Jeju Strait, approximately halfway between Jeju Island and the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. In the present study, it was found that this species is very common and widely distributed in southern Japan.

Figures

Figure 4. Adults of Thiotricha spp. A T. biformis, male B ditto, female C T. angustella comb. nov., male D ditto, female E T. venustalis comb. nov., male F ditto, female G T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov., male H ditto, female. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Figure 7. Wing venation of Thiotricha spp., male. A T. biformis B T. angustella comb. nov. C T. venustalis comb. nov. D T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. E T. elaeocarpiella sp. nov., paratype F T. flavitermina sp. nov., paratype.

Figure 8. Male genitalia of Thiotricha spp. A, B T. biformis A male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 143 B phallus C, D T. angustella comb. nov. C male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 106 D phallus E, F T. venustalis comb. nov. E male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 1 F phallus G, H T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. G male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 43 H phallus I, J T. elaeocarpiella sp. nov., holotype I male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 88 J phallus K, L T. flavitermina sp. nov., holotype K male genitalia, gen. slide no. KM- 100 L phallus. Scale bars: 0.4 mm (genitalia), 0.2 mm (phallus).

Figure 9. Abdominal segments of Thiotricha spp. A T. biformis. B T. angustella comb. nov. C T. venustalis comb. nov. D T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. E T. elaeocarpiella sp. nov., paratype F T. flavitermina sp. nov. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 10. Female genitalia of Thiotricha spp. A T. biformis, gen. slide no. KM- 145 B T. angustella comb. nov., with close up of signum, gen. slide no. KM- 118 C T. venustalis comb. nov., gen. slide no. KM- 52 D T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. with close up of signum, gen. slide no. KM- 128 E T. elaeocarpiella sp. nov. with close up of signum, paratype, gen. slide no. KM- 132 F T. flavitermina sp. nov. with close up of signum, paratype, gen. slide no. KM- 55. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 11. Biology of Thiotricha chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. and its host plant A habitat at Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka Pref. B host plant, Mallotus japonica (Euphorbiaceae) C larval portable case made of flower bud attached to the underside of the leaf D larva within the portable case E a young shoot of host plant F Infested part of the shoot G Larva inside of the petiole H Pupa exuviae I Resting posture of adult, lateral view.

Figure 13. Pupa of Thiotricha spp. A-C T. chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. D-F T. elaeocarpiella sp. nov. A, D dorsal view B, E ventral view C, F lateral view. Scale bar: 0.1 mm.

Figure 14. Pupa of Thiotricha chujaensis (Park, 2016) comb. nov. A head, lateral view Arrow indicates many minute spines on vertex B seventh abdominal segment, ventral view Arrow indicates oval pad armed with a row of spines C seventh abdominal segment, dorsal view Arrow indicates a row of spines on both anterior and caudal margin D seventh abdominal segment, lateral view Arrow indicates oval pad armed with a row of spines and rows of tergal spines. Scale bar: 0.1 mm.